All aboard the Vinho Voyage: A journey through Portugal one sip (and bite) at a time

Ideal Glass Studios played host to this year’s Vinho Voyage featuring over 100 wines from some of Portugal’s preeminent wine producing regions and sub-regions including Vinho Verde, Douro Valley, Dão, Alentejo, Tejo, Bairrada, Algarve, Tras-os-Montes, Távora-Varosa, Madeira, and Azores among others. Portugal boasts 250 white and red native grapes, and is known for both single-varietal and unique blended sparkling, white, rose’, and red wines.

Portugal’s major white grapes:

• Alvarinho-Cultivated in Vinho Verde and other parts of northwestern Portugal. Wines made from this aromatic grape typically have refreshing acidity, and an elegant citrus, orchard, and tropical fruit flavor profile.

1. Casa das Hortas Portal das Hortas Reserva 2023
2. Joao Portugal Ramos Alvarinho 2024
3. Mendez & Symington Contacto Alvarinho 2024

• Arinto-Widely cultivated throughout Portugal. Wines made from this vibrant grape typically have crisp acidity, a fresh minerality, and a citrus and orchard fruit profile.

1. Cas’ Amaro Bustelo Arinto Riserva 2023
2. Symington Family Estates Quinta da Fonte Souto White 2023 (blend of Arinto, Verdelho and Alvarinho)

• Encruzado-Cultivated predominantly in Dão. Wines made from this refined grape are typically balanced and complex with a floral, citrus, and nutty profile. Encruzado is sometimes aged in oak to increase complexity and add flavors of vanilla and cream.

1. Boas Quintas Fonte do Ouro Encruzado Reserva Especial 2024

• Fernao Pires-Cultivated in central and southern Portugal. Wines made from this aromatic grape typically have an intense floral, ripe citrus and summer fruit, honey, and spice profile. Fernao Pires is a versatile grape that is often used in blends to add aromaticity and freshness.

1. Herdade da Calada Caladessa Branco 2023 (blend of Alvarinho, Arinto, and Fernao Pires)

Portugal’s major red grapes:

• Baga-Cultivated principally in Bairrada. Wines made from this vibrant red grape typically have bright acidity and tannins, good structure, and a floral, and red berry and fruit flavor profile.

1. Caves da Montanha Montanha Real Grande Reserva Baga Bairrada 2018

• Trincadeira-Cultivated principally in Alentejo. Wines produced from this hearty grape typically have firm tannins, and a black stone fruit, dried herb, and dark spice flavor profile.

1. Enoport Wines Romeira IGP Lisboa Reserva Tino 2022 (blend of Aragonez, Tinta Miuda, and Trincadeira)

• Touriga Nacional-Cultivated principally in Dão and the Douro. Wines produced from this elegant and bold grape typically have good structure and weight, powerful tannins, and an elegant dark floral and fruit, and black spice flavor profile. Touriga Nacional is commonly used to make single-varietal, blended, and Port wines.

1. Joao Portugal Ramos Family Estates Vinha S. Lazaro Single Vineyard 2022
2. Marques de Borba Rosé Brut Sparkling 2017

• Touriga Franca-Cultivated principally in the Douro. Wines produced from this concentrated grape typically have good weight, firm, balanced tannins, and a dark floral and berry fruit flavor profile.

1. Quinta do Crasto Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca 2019

• Castelao-Cultivated principally in Palmela and other areas in southern Portugal Wines produced from this earthy grape typically have a vivacious red and dark berry fruit flavor profile.

1. Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Dona Ermelinda Reserva 2022 (blend of Castelao, Touriga Nacional, and Cabernet Sauvignon)

• Aragonez-Cultivated principally in Alentejo, Dão, Trás-os-Montes, and the Douro. Wines produced from this versatile grape typically have balanced tannins, and a red and black berry and stone fruit, and sweet spice flavor profile.

1. Ervideira Sociedade Agricola Invisivel 2024

Portuguese wines are very food-friendly, and when paired with Portuguese cuisine they are truly divine.

Chef Nuno Sousa of the West Village-based Northern Portuguese restaurant Leitao indulged attendees with samplings of some of his restaurant’s signature dishes including Bacalhau, a salted cod specialty from Portugal, impossibly tender grilled octopus skewers, and slow-cooked pork with littleneck clams simmered in a tasty broth.

Specialty Portuguese food purveyor Portugalia Marketplace was also onsite to
showcase their extra virgin olive oils, preserves, sardines, tuna, and of course, the world-famous signature Portuguese dessert pasteis de nata lisboa, an oven-baked buttery and flaky caramelized egg tart.

A well-spent afternoon exploring Portugal’s myriad wine territories and regional cuisine in the heart of Soho.